MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama has joined other states in approving legislation inspired by the Casey Anthony case that will make it a crime to fail to report a missing child.

Caylee's Law, approved by lawmakers in the recent legislative session, goes into effect on Aug. 1. Gov. Robert Bentley held a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation today.

"This is just another tool in the prosecutor's toolbox," said Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville, said.

In a now infamous case, Florida mother Casey Anthony failed to report her daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, missing for 31 days. The girl's skeletal remains were later found inside a trash bag.

A jury in 2011 acquitted Casey Anthony of the child's murder, although she was convicted of lying to law enforcement officers.

"We found with the Casey Anthony trial that there was a loophole", bill sponsor Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said.

"She was not convicted by a jury of her peers for the actual crime of murder, but she could at least have been convicted for failing to notify authorities," Givan said.

Lawmakers approved the law on their second attempt after similar legislation failed last year.

The Alabama law does not specify a window of time in which parents must report a missing child. The law says a parent can be prosecuted if they fail to report a missing child with reckless disregard for the child's safety.

A parent could face one to 10 years in prison if they fail to report a missing child and the child suffers serious harm or death.

As of Sept. 19, 2012, at least eleven states have approved similar laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and an additional eight states have filed bills.

"I think most folks are surprised that it's not the law already," Taylor said.

Barry Matson, deputy director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, praised Taylor and Givan, for the passage of the bill.

Matson said he realized some people might question if such a law is truly needed. Matson said it is.